Monitoring and management of the endangered Cape mountain zebra Equus zebra zebra in the Western Cape, South Africa

De Hoop Nature Reserve and a neighbouring conservancy contain the most genetically diverse subpopulation of the Endangered (IUCN) Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra Linnaeus 1758). Although vital for the long-term stability of the meta-population, the population had received limited monitoring p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	African journal of ecology Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 207 - 213
Main Authors:	Smith, Rebecca K, Marais, Andrae, Chadwick, Peter, Lloyd, Peter H, Hill, Russell A
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Subjects:	Action Plan Animal populations De Hoop Nature Reserve Ecology Endangered & extinct species Environmental monitoring Equus zebra zebra meta-population population dynamics Population genetics sex ratio translocation South Africa
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	De Hoop Nature Reserve and a neighbouring conservancy contain the most genetically diverse subpopulation of the Endangered (IUCN) Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra Linnaeus 1758). Although vital for the long-term stability of the meta-population, the population had received limited monitoring post-1999. We summarize data obtained during a population monitoring programme established in 2005. Ninety-nine individuals were identified indicating a decline in annual population growth from 6.6% (1995-1999) to 4.5% (1999-2005). The population was male biased and the deficit of females is likely to have prevented additional breeding herd formation resulting in excess nonbreeding males. These animals are currently of limited reproductive value to the meta-population and may be contributing to the decline in reproductive potential at De Hoop by competing for limited resources. One solution may be to translocate 'excess' males to reinforce existing small populations or establish new populations with females from elsewhere provided that a minimum of 78 animals is maintained at De Hoop to limit genetic loss. Population monitoring and effective management strategies for the De Hoop population and the meta-population are vital to ensure the long-term survival of Cape mountain zebra and for the success of other species recovery programmes.
Bibliography:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2007.00893.x ArticleID:AJE893 ark:/67375/WNG-S9L10V3J-W istex:79472249238CAE0AFDCA98BF8AABE27497DA00BB ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23
ISSN:	0141-6707 1365-2028
DOI:	10.1111/j.1365-2028.2007.00893.x